Yankees increase offer to Posada
The New York Yankees planned to make a new contract offer to Jorge Posada on Monday in an effort to re-sign the all-star catcher before he hit the open market.
New York also was trying to re-sign Mariano Rivera before today, when free agents could start talking money with all clubs.
"Mariano already has been given an improved offer, and Jorge's will be today," said senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner.
Posada, a five-time all-star who is 36, said Sunday he was "really close" to an agreement with the Yankees and his preference is to remain with the only major-league team he has played for. His contract is expected to be for three or four years.
"A lot of that now that the players and agents do, it's just spin," Steinbrenner said. "But the bottom line is I think he means it."
Rivera, an eight-time all-star, was in the Dominican Republic on Monday. Rivera, who turns 38 on Nov. 29, said if he couldn't reach a deal with New York, he would consider following manager Joe Torre to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The closer is expected to receive a three-year contract.
"The Yankees are my first option," he said in Santo Domingo. "But if that is not possible, there is Joe with the Dodgers."
General manager Brian Cashman said re-signing the pair are his top priorities.
"The ball's pretty much in their court now. They've both been made very good offers now, and we'll see where they're at," Steinbrenner said. "We'll see how committed they are."
Steinbrenner said the Yankees still were trying to gauge what the Florida Marlins might want in a trade for all-star third baseman Miguel Cabrera, who is being made available.
"We got a couple ideas, what they might be asking for, and it's a lot," Steinbrenner said. "I don't know what's going to happen there, but there's still plenty of time on that."
Tigers sign Jones: Todd Jones and the busy Detroit Tigers have agreed to a $7 million, one-year contract.
Jones had 38 saves for the Tigers last season, a year after saving 37 games to help Detroit make the playoffs for the first time since 1987. He had four more in the postseason as the Tigers reached the World Series. He turns 40 in April.
"For us, he's done a quality job for the last couple years and for us a real big need for him to come back and fill that closer role," Tigers president Dave Dombrowski said.
Re-signing Jones became even more important for Detroit when hard-throwing reliever Joel Zumaya had shoulder surgery, costing him at least the first half of the 2008 season.
"Joel is going to be a real tough void to fill. You'll see how valuable he is by the amount of money that Dave has to commit to try to fill those spots," Jones said.
Earlier Monday, the Tigers acquired outfielder Jacque Jones from the Cubs for utility player Omar Infante. The Tigers also filled a major need two weeks ago, trading for all-star shortstop Edgar Renteria from Atlanta for two prospects.